Eheim 1048 noise - new impellor or should I repair 'er
 

I've got a Eheim 1048 that was running fine, but would occasionally act up and generate more noise than it usually did. I took apart my system to add a GPU block and figured a pump cleaning might help with the noise, but it didn't. Still as loud as it was before.

I took it all apart again and while cleaning the shaft (impellor did not fall, it was sitting on the table) the shaft fell on the floor and broke into pieces. Bought a new shaft, put it all back together and it was still noisy.

Tried the trick of wrapping Teflon tape around the impellor and then replacing the head, but it was still noisy.

Tried submerging the pump in water in the sink and then running it, but it was still noisy.

Since I've replaced the shaft and everything else on the pump except the impellor is sealed, the problem must lie with the impellor, right?

Should I try a new impellor or try to send the pump to Eheim (just bought it on 6/20/2003) to repair it?

If there is noise -you have cavitation, bearing problems, or something dragging. How does the motor sound without the pump section installed? Run the motor and shake it around a little to try and reproduce the noise. That will tell you if the motor section is OK. Chances are that you have too much clearance in the impeller bearings which will cause a chatter.

When you remove the pump -Can you see any scoring which would indicate that the impeller is dragging?

Removed the impellor and just ran the motor and it's quiet. There appears to be some slight scoring on the inside of the area where the impellor turns (it looks like it lines up with where the end of the prop on the impellor lies)

I did notice on the end of the magnet that sits in the housing, the hole around the shaft looks a little more oval than round. Here:

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/s.stormont/magnet.jpg


So a new implellor would fix the problem? What steps can I take to help ensure that the new impeloor gets seated properly and doesn't have the same problem?

That is definately the problem -and by no fault of yours. I don't know what set up that failure -bad materials, unbalance, etc. How long has the pump been running? That may be repaired / replaced under warranty.

If you or someone you know has a small lathe you could drill out that insert and put in a new bearing...that is what I might do.

Yes, a new impeller assembly will fix the problem. How does the plastic shaft look? Can you feel any wear where that bearing was running? You may need one of those also -or possibly turn it around...but it would be cheap compared to the price of an impeller. I have no idea how hard it is to get parts / service from eheim -good luck!

The pump was purchased on 6/20/2003, so it's only neem about 1 1/2 months since I purchased it.

I just purchased a new shaft, but didn't run the pump much since the noise was still there.

Dealing Eheim seems to be a pain. Their web page just lists Dealers. The only thing regarding sending a pump in for repair is the piece of paper that comes with the pump that has an address of where to send the pump. No phone number or anything. I can get a impellor from Eheimparts.com but it will be about $16 before shipping.

For that money I think I would buy one. Then I would fix the old one in my spare time ;) ... That pump needs to be repaired / replaced under warranty, but that might be difficult. The wait time and additional shipping charges quickly add up...I would buy the impeller.

Was able to get in contact via Eheim via e-mail. All they needed was the description of the problem (sent them the pictuer I posted as well) and a scanned image of the receipt. They are sending me a new impeller free of charge.

Steve

Great! I am glad to hear that. :p

It might be useful in the future if you would post any contact info you have found for Eheim...

All I did was sent e-mail to: support@eheim.com